After years of preparation Seattle finally hosts a World Cup match. Featuring Mo Salah's Egypt against the tenth-ranked Belgium, the match at Lumen Field should be the gem of the day.
The Group H matches with Spain v. Cabo Verde and Uruguay v. Saudi Arabia are likely about goal difference. If neither underdog gets blown out they can dream of that third place advancement.
New Zealand will look to not be overshadowed by the off-field issues facing the Iran side.
Today's games
Spain v. Cape Verde
Time: 9 AM (Pacific)
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: Fox, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
Dave Clark
Jeremiah Oshan
Belgium v. Egypt
Time: Noon (Pacific)
Where: Lumen Field, Seattle, Washington
TV: Fox, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
Tim Ostlund-Foss
Andrew Clausen
Saudi Arabia v. Uruguay
Time: 3 PM (Pacific)
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
TV: FS1, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
Iran v. New Zealand
Time: 6 PM (Pacific)
Where: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood (Los Angeles), California
TV: FS1, Telemundo
Online: Fox One, Peacock
The new issue of IV: The Sounder at Heart magazine is now available for pre-order. Issue 2 will focus on Seattle’s role in the 2026 World Cup.
What’s interesting today?
- How good is Spain these days? They last lost 27 matches ago, in London to Colombia. They've taken three of the last five Euros, and made the finals of the European Nations League three straight times, winning one. Standing in the way of one of the favorites for 2026 are lovable minnows Cabo Verde. The Blue Sharks feature two MLS players – CJ dos Santos and Steven Moreira. Spain is built from the roster of giants.
- Iran's travel restrictions were lifted enough that they are allowed to spend the night before the game in the city of the match. That means that they are allowed to do a walkthrough on the official field. On the pitch they're favorites over New Zealand and looking to maintain their position as giants of West Asia.
- The other giants of West Asia are Saudi Arabia. Their recent record is poor, mostly scheduling friendlies against quality sides trying to test their strength. Uruguay is capable of beating the best, defeating both Argentina and Brazil during qualifying. They've been better, but Saudi Arabia shouldn't be a challenge.
- It is hard to overstate what a dream it is to have Mo Salah playing here, in Seattle for an entire peoples. He's more than an Egyptian leader, he's also a symbol to the Arab world. That's part of why MLS might give him the kind of deal that only Beckham and Messi got – ownership. In his way, in his final chance to lift Egypt past the Group Stage for the first time ever, is Belgium. The Red Devils are built with players from the best clubs in the world, though like Salah, their time is fading.
- As a reminder, the region is under a heat advisory – drink water, eat regularly, find shade when you can.
